Blue carbon in the Ria Formosa

The Ria Formosa is one of the most important wetlands in Portugal harbouring extensive seagrass meadows and saltmarshes. These ecosystems present a disproportionate capacity to accumulate and store carbon in their sediments, the so-called Blue Carbon. The protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems are gaining momentum in climate change mitigation strategies (known as Blue Carbon Strategies) as they are net CO2 sinks thus attenuating the increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.

The student will take part in ongoing fieldwork and laboratory work to assess Blue Carbon stocks in coastal vegetated ecosystems (seagrass meadows, salt marshes, macroalgae) in the Ria Formosa lagoon (south Portugal). Fieldwork involves sampling of sediment cores, sampling of vegetation biomass, and habitat mapping. Laboratory work involves estimating vegetation traits (e.g. morphology, biomass) and determining sediment geochemical characteristics (e.g. organic matter content, grain size). The student will be also trained for data entry and storage and basic data analysis using R programming language.

Language requirements: 
Fluent in English
Specific competences required : 
Physically fit for fieldwork, great organization skills, motivation, teamwork spirit, diving skills (not compulsory).
Safety issues: 
Internship may involve diving, boat trip, walking in muddy areas. Specific access rules to Laboratory, Field (Foot/Boat/Diving) will be given before the start of the internship. Personal protection equipment (lab coats, gloves, goggles, life jackets, first aid kit, etc.) will be provided when necessary. A risk assessment report will be performed before the beginning of the professional practice and it will be signed by the student.
Accommodation possibilities : 
Accommodation is not provided.
Additional costs to be covered by the student: 
No
COVID-19 contingency plan: 
In case of lockdown at the time of the internship, this will be based on an on-line tutored study using already available scientific data on blue carbon. The student will gain skills in data analysis and reporting using R programming language. In any case, all recommendations and regulations by the DGS will be followed during the internship (use of mask, social distancing, hand cleaning).
format: 
on-site